I love Canadian small towns and we always make a point of exploring as many as we can. People are invariably friendly and welcoming—it sounds like a cliché but it’s true!—and each place has its own vibe.
On our way back from Belleville, we stopped in Gananoque. It had been a while—the last time was in May 2012, and I was five-month pregnant then. We took the exact same picture, by the lighthouse, this time with Mark!
The clouds over the marina and Joel Stone Park were magical—the calm after the storm I guess. Then, we headed to the main street and let Mark explore the neighbourhood playground (is there a Lonely Planet of “playgrounds of the world”? There should be, that would be a cool angle!). There was even a piano for kids to practice. Mark loved it… too bad I can’t actually play anything, but I tried my best to pretend I was a good musician and my son looked suitably impressed.
On that Tuesday after Labour Day, it was business as usual in Gananoque and we were the only tourists around. Time for us to head back to Ottawa… September should be a busy month!
That’s nice to have piano for kids in a playground. It could actually stand the rain?
I read about your other post about parks in Nantes. Personally I found Nantes to be a green city with many parks and most parks have playground for kids.
I was wondering the same about the rain for the piano!
Nantes is green for a French city, but it’s nothing compared to Canada I think 😉
Mark is so so cute! Love that smile of his.
You’re right about the small towns in Canada. There are so many and they are almost always just completely adorable.
He can smile… but he can cry loudly too!
A piano exposed to the elements? That must be very out of tune, as the humidity would kill the strings really quick!
That’s what I thought too but it really wasn’t in bad shape!
Look at Mark’s little sock coming off! So cute! It looks like a lovely town – I love exploring local towns here.
Oh yes, these socks… I lose one every day! 😆
Little Mark is growing like the proverbial weed. Quite the handsome boy.
Thank you!
Hi
great photos !! I work for the town of Gananoque and would love to use two of your photos – one of your son in the painted chair and the one of you and he playing the paino .. we are so thrilled with the success of these additions in our community ! thank you Pam
I sent you an email.